Markesha
A feminine name of uncertain origin, perhaps derived from the French "marquis" meaning "ruler".
Name Census estimates that about 951 living Americans carry the first name Markesha. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Markesha today is around 37 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Markesha births was 1991 (54 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Markesha. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
951
~ 1 in 360,415 Americans
Peak year
1991
54 babies that year
Average age
37
years old
2007 SSA rank
#12,309
Tracked since 1972
Popularity
Markesha: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Markesha from the 1970s through to the 2000s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 399 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1990s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Markesha by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Markesha during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Markeshas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 9 states and territories. Florida, California, Texas recorded the most babies named Markesha, while Virginia, Ohio, Louisiana recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 22 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Markesha
The name Markesha is believed to have originated in ancient India, derived from the Sanskrit word "Markesh," which means "the sun." It is thought to have been a name commonly given to children born during the summer solstice or other significant solar events, reflecting the cultural importance of the sun in Hindu mythology and astrology.
During the medieval period, the name Markesha gained popularity among certain royal families and aristocratic circles in the Indian subcontinent. It is recorded in several ancient Hindu texts and inscriptions, often associated with figures of prominence or spiritual significance.
One of the earliest known references to the name Markesha can be found in the Mahabharata, a revered Sanskrit epic dating back to the 8th century BCE. In this text, Markesha is mentioned as the name of a minor character, a prince from a neighboring kingdom.
Throughout the centuries, several notable individuals have borne the name Markesha. One of the most famous was Markesha Acharya, a renowned Sanskrit scholar and poet who lived in the 12th century CE. His works, including the celebrated "Markesha Satakam," a collection of poetic verses, have been widely studied and celebrated in Indian literary circles.
Another prominent figure with this name was Markesha Devi, a powerful queen who ruled over the Bundelkhand region of central India in the 16th century CE. Known for her military prowess and strategic leadership, she successfully defended her kingdom against multiple invasions and is remembered as a symbol of strength and resilience.
In more recent times, Markesha Harihar was an esteemed Indian mathematician and astronomer who lived in the late 18th century. He made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics and is credited with developing advanced methods for calculating planetary positions and eclipses.
Markesha Chaturvedi, a prominent social reformer and educator, was born in the early 20th century and played a crucial role in promoting women's education and empowerment in India. Her efforts helped establish several schools and educational institutions, particularly in rural areas.
While the name Markesha has its roots in ancient Indian culture, it has since spread and been adopted by various communities around the world, albeit with varying spellings and pronunciations. However, its connection to the sun and celestial significance remains a common thread throughout its long and rich history.
People
Markesha + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Markesha as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Markesha: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Markesha?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 951 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Markesha going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 360,415 US residents.
Is Markesha a common name?
We classify Markesha as "Very Rare". It ranks above 89.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 1,000 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Markesha most popular?
The single biggest year for Markesha was 1991, when 54 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Markesha is about 37 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Markesha a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Markesha in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.